Renault wait on engine boost

Renault wait on engine boost

The Renault's engine is a long way down on the best in F1

The Renault Formula One team have admitted they are struggling for engine power - but say they expect a major improvement in time for the Canadian Grand Prix in June.

Despite qualifying first and second for Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix, Renault have what is considered to be the least powerful engine in F1.

It is reputed to be around 130bhp down on the best engines, the Ferrari and Williams' BMW - Renault drivers Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso were 10km/h (6.2mph) slower than Ferrari's Michael Schumacher through the speed trap in Malaysia.

Renault delight in surprise pole

Renault boss Flavio Briatore said: "I know that we are very under-powered, if you see the top speeds, compared to everybody else. But we will improve and I'm sure that after Monte Carlo we are there.

"We're missing a lot of power, basically, but the chassis is very good."

Briatore said he did not expect Renault to fully close the gap to the best engines this season, but said he was "quite confident" that the team would secure some podium positions in 2003.

Trulli (left) has complimented Renault's aerodynamics

He added that Renault were expecting a "big step" in the performance of the car for the fourth race of the season, the San Marino Grand Prix.

Trulli added: "The car's aerodynamics are very good, and the engine has already been improved since the last race, so the team is working very well."

Briatore said he would like to see the new qualifying system revised after team bosses meet to discuss the impact of the new rules on 11 April.

From the start of this season, grid positions are decided by a one-lap run on Saturday, after which the teams are not allowed to refuel their cars.

But Briatore said he would like to see the grid decided from aggregate times from two sessions - one on Friday and one on Saturday - with the drivers being able to run on low fuel for the final session to add to the spectacle.

F1 to resist further change

However, he did admit that the new system added to the uncertainty of the race, which was motorsport boss Max Mosley's reason for imposing the rule change.